A Look Back At Floyd's Other Mexican Foes

A Look Back at Mayweather's Mexican Opponents and Canelo's Chances of Making Boxing History

LAS VEGAS (September 3, 2013) - If Canelo Alvarez is awestruck by the prospect of trying to do something that no one else has done - defeat pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather - he doesn't show it.

Canelo maintained the same cool, calm expression throughout a nine-city press tour to promote "THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo" - the highly anticipated, super welterweight world championship pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 14. It was the look of a man who is never hurried and never worried. All business.

Is Canelo "THE ONE?''

Can he succeed where so many other superb boxers have failed? Can he not only be the first fighter to defeat Mayweather, but also the first of Mexican descent? Mayweather's Mexican foes include such notables as Jose Luis Castillo, Juan Manuel Marquez, Jesus Chavez, Genaro Hernandez and Oscar De La Hoya.

De La Hoya thinks so. De La Hoya lost a split 12-round decision to Mayweather in a record-setting pay-per-view event in 2007. One judge scored it as a victory for De La Hoya. That is as close as anyone has come to dethroning Mayweather in the last decade.

"For one thing, youth is on his side," De La Hoya said of the 23-year-old Canelo, who hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. "But the real advantage will be the intelligence. People will also be surprised with his speed."

Canelo, a redhead with matinee idol looks, is the No. 1 boxing attraction in Mexico. He is on the cusp of joining the same club as Mexican boxing legends like Carlos Zarate, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. A victory over Mayweather would cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats in Mexican boxing history.

Canelo said he started watching Mayweather in his fights with Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales in 2001 and 2002. He really took notice when Mayweather fought De La Hoya in 2007.

Who was he rooting for in that match?

"Oscar, of course,'' he said with a laugh.

Canelo now has De La Hoya as his mentor. He said he will lean on De La Hoya to get information on what makes Mayweather uncomfortable in the ring. De La Hoya, who had a good strategy against Mayweather, said he will keep repeating three letters to Canelo - J-A-B. It was something De La Hoya couldn't do consistently because he had a torn left rotator cuff in their fight in 2007.

Canelo won't be coming in with any such aliments, and if he follows De La Hoya's advice, he could turn the tables on Mayweather. Plus, Canelo doesn't believe that he's too inexperienced for Mayweather at this time.

"I'm very young, but I'm experienced as well," said Canelo, who has fought in 43 fights (42-0-1 with 30 KO's). "I've been learning the last couple of years. The position that I'm in right now, Mayweather was once in [when Mayweather was learning and growing as a fighter]."

Mayweather has conquered every boxer of Mexican heritage that has been put in front of him. Jesus Chavez, who was 29 at the time that Mayweather upended him for the WBC junior lightweight title, and Castillo, who was 28 when Mayweather twice defeated him for the WBC lightweight title.

Mayweather also defeated Genaro Hernandez for the WBC junior lightweight title; Hernandez retired from boxing after the loss. Mayweather fought Juan Manuel Marquez and dominated him en route to a 12-round decision. He also edged De La Hoya for the WBC 154-pound title, while breaking the pay-per-view record in the history of the sport.

But none of Mayweather's earlier opponents had the youth, punching power and granite chin that Canelo possesses. Plus, Canelo is naturally bigger than Mayweather and could enter the ring with a 20-pound weight advantage.

Mayweather, who typically campaigns at 147 pounds, chose the bigger Canelo and will fight him at a catch weight of 152 pounds for the second fight in his new contract with SHOWTIME Networks, Inc., and its parent company, CBS Corporation. It certainly makes for an intriguing match, and anything but a gimme for "Money."

Canelo said he has visualized how he will fight Mayweather, but he knows that whatever his plan is, it must have flexibility.

"Floyd is a different kind of fighter and this is a different kind of fight," Canelo said. "For every fight there's a game plan. But that game plan can go out the window in the first round. So you have to have a Plan B and a Plan C. And that is what we'll work on."

The conventional wisdom is that Canelo is too inexperienced to defeat the ring-savvy Mayweather, but Canelo points out that he has been fighting professionally since he was 15 years old and most of those 43 fights on his resume (42-0-1, 30 KO's) were not against low caliber fighters. He has triumphed impressively against former undisputed welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley, Matthew Hatton, Kermit Cintron and former WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout.

Canelo put on a dazzling boxing display against Trout, who was coming off a shocking upset over Miguel Cotto. It was the type of victory that made Mayweather take notice. It also stamped Canelo as more than ready to seriously challenge Mayweather.

"I'm fighting the best. This is my chance to beat the best,'' Canelo said. "It's a chance to go down in history as the first guy to beat Floyd Mayweather."

Canelo appears to be unfazed by the hype, If we believe that he can make 152 easily then this will be a barnburner because Mayweather cannot punch, he's more of a slapper. Canelo's youth and strength will prevail

style="margin: 5px;" title="A Look Back At Floyd's Other Mexican Foes"WILL CANELO ALVAREZ BE "THE ONE" TO FINALLY DEFEAT FLOYD MAYWEATHER? A Look Back at Mayweather's Mexican Opponents and Canelo's Chances of Making Boxing HistoryLAS VEGAS (September 3, 2013) - If Canelo Alvarez is awestruck by the prospect of trying to do something that no one else has done - defeat pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather - he doesn't show it.
Canelo maintained the same cool, calm expression throughout a nine-city press tour to promote "THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo" - the highly anticipated, super welterweight world championship pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 14. It was the look of a man who is never hurried and never worried. All business.
Is Canelo "THE ONE?''
Can he succeed where so many other superb boxers have failed? Can he not only be the first fighter to defeat Mayweather, but also the first of Mexican descent? Mayweather's Mexican foes include such notables as Jose Luis Castillo, Juan Manuel Marquez, Jesus Chavez, Genaro Hernandez and Oscar De La Hoya.
De La Hoya thinks so. De La Hoya lost a split 12-round decision to Mayweather in a record-setting pay-per-view event in 2007. One judge scored it as a victory for De La Hoya. That is as close as anyone has come to dethroning Mayweather in the last decade.
"For one thing, youth is on his side," De La Hoya said of the 23-year-old Canelo, who hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. "But the real advantage will be the intelligence. People will also be surprised with his speed."
Canelo, a redhead with matinee idol looks, is the No. 1 boxing attraction in Mexico. He is on the cusp of joining the same club as Mexican boxing legends like Carlos Zarate, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. A victory over Mayweather would cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats in Mexican boxing history.
Canelo said he started watching Mayweather in his fights with Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales in 2001 and 2002. He really took notice when Mayweather fought De La Hoya in 2007.
Who was he rooting for in that match?
"Oscar, of course,'' he said with a laugh.
Canelo now has De La Hoya as his mentor. He said he will lean on De La Hoya to get information on what makes Mayweather uncomfortable in the ring. De La Hoya, who had a good strategy against Mayweather, said he will keep repeating three letters to Canelo - J-A-B. It was something De La Hoya couldn't do consistently because he had a torn left rotator cuff in their fight in 2007.
Canelo won't be coming in with any such aliments, and if he follows De La Hoya's advice, he could turn the tables on Mayweather. Plus, Canelo doesn't believe that he's too inexperienced for Mayweather at this time.
"I'm very young, but I'm experienced as well," said Canelo, who has fought in 43 fights (42-0-1 with 30 KO's). "I've been learning the last couple of years. The position that I'm in right now, Mayweather was once in [when Mayweather was learning and growing as a fighter]."
Mayweather has conquered every boxer of Mexican heritage that has been put in front of him. Jesus Chavez, who was 29 at the time that Mayweather upended him for the WBC junior lightweight title, and Castillo, who was 28 when Mayweather twice defeated him for the WBC lightweight title.
Mayweather also defeated Genaro Hernandez for the WBC junior lightweight title; Hernandez retired from boxing after the loss. Mayweather fought Juan Manuel Marquez and dominated him en route to a 12-round decision. He also edged De La Hoya for the WBC 154-pound title, while breaking the pay-per-view record in the history of the sport.
But none of Mayweather's earlier opponents had the youth, punching power and granite chin that Canelo possesses. Plus, Canelo is naturally bigger than Mayweather and could enter the ring with a 20-pound weight advantage.
Mayweather, who typically campaigns at 147 pounds, chose the bigger Canelo and will fight him at a catch weight of 152 pounds for the second fight in his new contract with SHOWTIME Networks, Inc., and its parent company, CBS Corporation. It certainly makes for an intriguing match, and anything but a gimme for "Money."
Canelo said he has visualized how he will fight Mayweather, but he knows that whatever his plan is, it must have flexibility.
"Floyd is a different kind of fighter and this is a different kind of fight," Canelo said. "For every fight there's a game plan. But that game plan can go out the window in the first round. So you have to have a Plan B and a Plan C. And that is what we'll work on."
The conventional wisdom is that Canelo is too inexperienced to defeat the ring-savvy Mayweather, but Canelo points out that he has been fighting professionally since he was 15 years old and most of those 43 fights on his resume (42-0-1, 30 KO's) were not against low caliber fighters. He has triumphed impressively against former undisputed welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley, Matthew Hatton, Kermit Cintron and former WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout.
Canelo put on a dazzling boxing display against Trout, who was coming off a shocking upset over Miguel Cotto. It was the type of victory that made Mayweather take notice. It also stamped Canelo as more than ready to seriously challenge Mayweather.
"I'm fighting the best. This is my chance to beat the best,'' Canelo said. "It's a chance to go down in history as the first guy to beat Floyd Mayweather."

I don't think Floyd holds back I just think he plays chess, he doesn't open up and keeps his stance perfect. He is essentially the most complete "quintessential" boxer we have seen in many many years.

@Radam
I used to think u talked a lot of sh*t but now I truly see your boxing brilliance on display. How do you think the current Mayweather would do against the current Marquez? Also, do you have any people on the inside telling you that Canelo usually has trouble making weight?

Radam G says:

First! Spies are everywhere. That is how the game rolls. Trust nobody 100 percent, not even yourself. Canelo is a fat arse. He will make weight easily if he wants to. He should be a welterweight or a light welterweight anyway.

Money May would beat Marquez the same way a 100 times. He has Marquez's and Hulkquez's number. Holla!

brownbomber says:

Do you think hypothetically if the fight is close that they will give it to Canelo
@radam

Radam G says:

NO! But a Trainer [Genie] Naazim and ex-boxer/pops of the famous singing family Jackson Joe Jackson is saying that a close bout will go to Canelo. Trainers on the fringe are going as far as to say that Money May is getting ROBBED if he doesn't put Canelo to sleep.

I just cannot see Sin City letting judges rob it cash cow. Holla!

The Shadow says:

First! Spies are everywhere. That is how the game rolls. Trust nobody 100 percent, not even yourself. Canelo is a fat arse. He will make weight easily if he wants to. He should be a welterweight or a light welterweight anyway.

Money May would beat Marquez the same way a 100 times. He has Marquez's and Hulkquez's number. Holla!

Just like I've been saying! The 152 will not be a problem. He can make 145 and still be at his peak performance.

brownbomber says:

@radam

Is mayweather past his prime

amayseng says:

I don't think Floyd holds back I just think he plays chess, he doesn't open up and keeps his stance perfect. He is essentially the most complete "quintessential" boxer we have seen in many many years.

@Radam
I used to think u talked a lot of sh*t but now I truly see your boxing brilliance on display. How do you think the current Mayweather would do against the current Marquez? Also, do you have any people on the inside telling you that Canelo usually has trouble making weight?

hence, he holds back on his power

amayseng says:

Just like I've been saying! The 152 will not be a problem. He can make 145 and still be at his peak performance.

he cant make 145 at peak performance if he hasnt been fighting at that weight recently in the past.

is he capable with proper diet training and nutrition to do that, possibly but there is no muscle memory for him

to do that and be "peak"

brownbomber says:

@amy

What power are you referring to? If you want to see UFC or watch two guys knock each others heads off, come to 17th and grand in Santa Ana on a Friday night at mariscos Mexico and if you pay 2 bucks each to two zombies I guarantee you that you will see a show. It will make ufc look like a pageant

amayseng says:

@amy

What power are you referring to? If you want to see UFC or watch two guys knock each others heads off, come to 17th and grand in Santa Ana on a Friday night at mariscos Mexico and if you pay 2 bucks each to two zombies I guarantee you that you will see a show. It will make ufc look like a pageant

what i meant was that floyd is a sharp buzzing puncher. however, he doesnt hit full force for a few reasons.
one, his hands are a bit brittle.
secondly, he would be sitting down more and not as defensive or as elusive.

my point was he can hit harder than he does but he doesnt for those reasons

sorry if i wasnt clear....

brownbomber says:

@amy
Yea but that's him man. Enjoy his style we may never see anything like this again in a long time

Carmine Cas says:

Nazim did say that if it was close it could be ruled a draw or decision for Canelo, because he is young and has a lot of potential in the future aka the next cash cow. Mayweather does bring in a lot of money to the Las Vegas economy when he fights so it's hard to tell. People who say Floyd doesn't hit hard don't know what they are talking about. Amayseng hit the nail on the head, Floyd isn't looking to make you miss or open up, pot shot and move out. And of course his hands are brittle, but he has buzzing power to keep most foes at bay. And Canelo's chin is granite? Lol says who? Canelo does hit harder, and since he's bigger than Floyd he should lean on him and pull his arms to wear out Floyd

Carmine Cas says:

Apparently De La Hoya had a torn rotator cuff, one of the reasons why he abandoned the jab in 07

Radam G says:

Typical alibi. "Torn rotator cuff" has never stop a true warrior from winning. I can name dozen. But I will name two. Larry Holmes, with a torn rotator cuff, jab and stab Ken Norton to win. The late, great Vernon "The Viper" Forrest won the title with a torn rotator and defend it before doctor realize that dude was jacking arse with A TORN ROTATOR and no excuses. REAL MAN and fighters suck jive up and FIGHT and never excuse it away years later.

Money May kick Big Money O's arse, as he is going to do to Jello -- I mean Canelo. Jab, jab, jab, Canelo. Because to will have to need rehab after Money May tap dat arse with the Philly Crab. Holla!

The Shadow says:

he cant make 145 at peak performance if he hasnt been fighting at that weight recently in the past.

is he capable with proper diet training and nutrition to do that, possibly but there is no muscle memory for him

to do that and be "peak"

Half-Man/Half-A, we went over this already He can. He's not muscular or ripped. He'd be at 90% weighing in at 145 and rehydrating to 165. I very much doubt his stamina issues are weight related. I think he's just lazy. Word around town is since he became a star, he's no longer taking instructions from his trainers. Even this camp.

No BS, he'd probably lose 10 pounds just by cleansing his colon. That's probably how his entitled a$$ lost weight in the past HAHAHA.

To give another example, a guy like Floyd, who's ripped to shreds, can make 135 EASILY without cutting into muscle mass. In reality, he should fight there. But it would be tantamount to raping little boys, which is a testament to his greatness.

That's another reason I SMH when people suggest he should fight guys like Martinez and GGG, who hasn't even fought at 154 in recent years, if ever. Floyd's already fighting FAAAAAAAAR out of his weight class.

The Shadow says:

what i meant was that floyd is a sharp buzzing puncher. however, he doesnt hit full force for a few reasons.
one, his hands are a bit brittle.
secondly, he would be sitting down more and not as defensive or as elusive.

my point was he can hit harder than he does but he doesnt for those reasons

sorry if i wasnt clear....

Great analysis. Very true.

The Shadow says:

Apparently De La Hoya had a torn rotator cuff, one of the reasons why he abandoned the jab in 07

[QUOTE=The Shadow;35946]Half-Man/Half-A, we went over this already He can. He's not muscular or ripped. He'd be at 90% weighing in at 145 and rehydrating to 165. I very much doubt his stamina issues are weight related. I think he's just lazy. Word around town is since he became a star, he's no longer taking instructions from his trainers. Even this camp.

No BS, he'd probably lose 10 pounds just by cleansing his colon. That's probably how his entitled a$$ lost weight in the past HAHAHA.

To give another example, a guy like Floyd, who's ripped to shreds, can make 135 EASILY without cutting into muscle mass. In reality, he should fight there. But it would be tantamount to raping little boys, which is a testament to his greatness.

That's another reason I SMH when people suggest he should fight guys like Martinez and GGG, who hasn't even fought at 154 in recent years, if ever. Floyd's already fighting FAAAAAAAAR out of his weight class.[/QUOTE]

this is wrong.
1 you dont know these guy's genetics or dna down to a "t"
2. floyd is ripped and weighs about 147-150 with very low body fat.... you HAVE to have some body fat or
it is unhealthy and unsafe saying floyd could make 135 is insane....

this is wishful thinking..

im a physical therapist ive been through so many anatomy and physiology classes it became miserable.

you are thinking like a young guy, thats cool, but there is more knowledge out there to be had.....

at this level where guys are at 7% body fat we are now talking about the cellular level .

once you start cutting muscle, not fat, not excess water weight, excess the key word, your

central nervous system becomes diminished and does not act properly.

innervation and conduction of nerves is disrupted and the fighter is simply debilitated.....i dont have time

to give you the full lesson you can read up and learn

amayseng says:

[QUOTE=The Shadow;35946]Half-Man/Half-A, we went over this already He can. He's not muscular or ripped. He'd be at 90% weighing in at 145 and rehydrating to 165. I very much doubt his stamina issues are weight related. I think he's just lazy. Word around town is since he became a star, he's no longer taking instructions from his trainers. Even this camp.

No BS, he'd probably lose 10 pounds just by cleansing his colon. That's probably how his entitled a$$ lost weight in the past HAHAHA.

To give another example, a guy like Floyd, who's ripped to shreds, can make 135 EASILY without cutting into muscle mass. In reality, he should fight there. But it would be tantamount to raping little boys, which is a testament to his greatness.

That's another reason I SMH when people suggest he should fight guys like Martinez and GGG, who hasn't even fought at 154 in recent years, if ever. Floyd's already fighting FAAAAAAAAR out of his weight class.[/QUOTE]

this is wrong.
1 you dont know these guy's genetics or dna down to a "t"
2. floyd is ripped and weighs about 147-150 with very low body fat.... you HAVE to have some body fat or
it is unhealthy and unsafe saying floyd could make 135 is insane....

this is wishful thinking..

im a physical therapist ive been through so many anatomy and physiology classes it became miserable.

you are thinking like a young guy, thats cool, but there is more knowledge out there to be had.....

at this level where guys are at 7% body fat we are now talking about the cellular level .

once you start cutting muscle, not fat, not excess water weight, excess the key word, your

central nervous system becomes diminished and does not act properly.

innervation and conduction of nerves is disrupted and the fighter is simply debilitated.....i dont have time

to give you the full lesson you can read up and learn

The Shadow says:

[QUOTE=amayseng;35958]this is wrong.
1 you dont know these guy's genetics or dna down to a "t"
2. floyd is ripped and weighs about 147-150 with very low body fat.... you HAVE to have some body fat or
it is unhealthy and unsafe saying floyd could make 135 is insane....

this is wishful thinking..

im a physical therapist ive been through so many anatomy and physiology classes it became miserable.

you are thinking like a young guy, thats cool, but there is more knowledge out there to be had.....

at this level where guys are at 7% body fat we are now talking about the cellular level .

once you start cutting muscle, not fat, not excess water weight, excess the key word, your

central nervous system becomes diminished and does not act properly.

innervation and conduction of nerves is disrupted and the fighter is simply debilitated.....i dont have time

to give you the full lesson you can read up and learn[/QUOTE]

I don't mean to be rude here, Half-Man, but the notion that I'm a stubborn, young guy lacking an eagerness to learn is silly (euphemized because I like you). So let me debunk that notion right away.

As far as cutting weight is concerned, I'm not wrong. I respect your knowledge on the matter and I'm sure you're an expert in your lane. But what you bring up is apples and oranges.

I'm talking artificial, manipulated weight loss. Broner is just as ripped and bigger than Floyd. He got to 130 until recently. Floyd Sr. even supports what I just said about Floyd's fighting weight. How do I know? I heard it coming from his mouth? What do I base my statements on? Remarks from experts that track, measure and professionally monitor weight cutting in combat sports athletes.

I get what you're saying, though.

As for your patronizing remarks about my lack of willingness to learn: First, I have master's degrees in three subjects, including one of the Crimson kind. Not that doesn't mean all that much because it doesn't. (You can buy those things nowadays haha.)

But what it does mean is that I do have knowledge about certain things and I certainly have an eagerness to learn. So saying I don't is really, really idiotic.

And basing my purported lack thereof on stuff passed on to me from people who do this professionally just demonstrates something else entirely. Which has nothing to do with me.

Carmine Cas says:

That was a good video, Oscar still did land his jab though, not as much as I initially thought. His shoulder might have prevented it, but all one needs to do is look at the Cotto fight, Miguel had a lot of success with the left jab